Students who will graduate in the Classes of 2023 and 2024 will need to meet new minimum high school graduation requirements after the Kentucky Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the proposed change Wednesday.
The proposed minimum high school graduation requirements are aligned to the “profile of a graduate” described by post-secondary educators and business and industry leaders that say that high school graduates should be able to clearly communicate, achieve academically, critically think, adapt to change and collaborate.
In order to develop these skills, under the proposed requirements a graduate would complete a minimum of 22 credits to demonstrate foundational skills in reading and mathematics on high school assessments, which can be taken more than once and appealed to a local superintendent if necessary.
Additional requirements include:
– completing the state science and social studies assessments
– passing a state-mandated civic test
– receiving instruction in financial literacy
– demonstrating essential skills and technology
Board Chair Hal Heiner said in a release October 3, 2018, should be remembered as a day which will change the trajectory for Kentucky students. He adds through these requirements they are setting a bar for students that will ensure that all public high school graduates across the state will be ready for college or a career immediately upon graduation.
The Kentucky Department of Education will accept public comments on the regulation through November 30. The board will review and consider any public comments submitted during the 30-day comment period at an upcoming meeting this fall, and the requirements will then move to the Kentucky General Assembly legislative committee for final approval.
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